The Keeper

Over her lifetime, Evelyn kept it all.

Trinkets. Photos. Stories…

Yet there was something else she kept and never shared. It remained hidden years after her death — a secret which would alter their family tree forever.

The Record Keeper

Over her lifetime, Evelyn kept it all.

Trinkets. Photos. Stories…

Yet there was something else she kept and never shared. It remained hidden years after her death — a secret which would alter their family tree forever.

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Ron W.

A jaw-dropping, true account of family secrets and acceptance.

“A suspenseful, personal account of DNA discovery exposing long-held family secrets, The Record Keeper features one surprise after another, leaving readers engaged fully until the very end. Lawrentz Barnhart does a supreme job sharing her sensitive discoveries and challenging conundrums while delivering potentially bombastic news with close family members. This is a heart-warming, true account of the shock of discovery followed by the power of family and acceptance. As a bonus, the epilogue will leave your jaw hanging. A well-crafted, engaging story that I fully recommend.”

C. S.

“I ended up staying up way too late one night to finish this because the author had me hooked. This type of genealogical story is perfect for someone who likes a light mystery, rather than the typical mysteries that have a high level of crime and spookiness. The author entertainingly unravels a host of unanswered questions about her family’s origins and connections. I found myself caring deeply about the characters, who are, of course, real people.”

Thomas M.

“Terrific book! Fascinating, multi-layer “mystery” story that is very easy to read. Hard to put down. The author does a great job of linking her genuine inquisitiveness regarding her family ancestry, with a detailed “detective like” investigation process when expected results do not materialize. In story form, she provides a “blueprint” of the proper way in which to gently merge current genealogy capabilities (and their historical links), into the lives of everyday folks that are maybe not so inclined to such discovery of “hidden secrets”. At the same time the author provides a caring & thoughtful portrayal of the deceased family member that held the secrets. Understanding of events before our time, requires a certain degree of reflection, perspective & consideration. And….I’m not sure the family secrets end with the last page of this book!”

Kathryn O.

“Ohio author Barnhart already had an interest in her family history when she purchased a DNA test for her father. The results, including strong evidence of Swedish heritage, were perplexing, and she methodically set out to solve this puzzle. Her grandmother Evelyn, although no longer alive, plays a starring role in this captivating story which Barnhart illustrates with many items of genealogical interest. I enjoyed and related to many of methods she used, the thought processes, but perhaps not the varied emotions, as I have not had a situation like this, occurring in recent years, in my own genealogy. An interesting account for sure!”

Sarah W.

“…a great and wild story exploring family history and sorting out fact from fiction… with the benefit of modern genealogical research paired with family stories and hidden gems discovered. An excellent read!”

Rebecca Z.

Perfect for Treasure Seekers

“If you love hunting treasures, if you love the thrill of discovery, if you’re brave enough to follow the information where it leads, whether you like it or not, if you love a good story then Allison’s story is for you. Blending the hard work of genealogical study and storytelling, The Record Keeper began as a chronicle of one young lady’s seemingly “normal” life history into a fulsome story of real, human connections showing that, if you’re brave enough to keep digging, the characters in your own life can become real people.”

Anne W.

“A simply beautiful story of family, genealogy, secrets, the power of truth, and the blessing of redemption!”

Chad J.

“…As books go, it’s the genealogical equivalent of an archaeological dig. Barnhart unearths unspeakable family secret after unspeakable family secret … The results are riveting. You don’t need to be a genealogical enthusiast for this story’s gravitational pull to work its magic on you. Barnhart’s efforts to probe her family’s past work like a tractor beam, reeling you in as a reader and making you wonder what she’s going to find next. Curiosity propels the reader along at a brisk pace, and Barnhart delivers the goods every time. It helps that the work is driven not just by the author’s obsessiveness but by an endearing sense of interiority. Barnhart seemingly offers her inmost thoughts to the reader, and the resulting intimacy makes the whole shebang inescapably personal and completely compelling, too.”

Samantha C.

Captivating Read!

“If you or someone you know has taken to studying their ancestry or doing genetic DNA test, buy them this book! It was so intriguing and at moments will definitely make you laugh and later cry. For me, it definitely changed the perspective I have of the ‘good old days’ in rural, small town America… It was such a fun read and I had a hard time stopping once I started the story.”

Janie Z.

A beautifully written story about discovering family history

“This book is beautifully written in a way that I felt like the author was talking to me and that she was sharing her own story over coffee. She shared her journey of learning past family secrets… I finished this book quickly and enjoyed learning about her journey to discover her family’s history.”

Madison W.

“The Record Keeper was a great combination of humor and mystery, wonderfully reminiscent of Nancy Drew at times. Barnhart does an excellent job of sprinkling in hilarious one-liners and her humorous inner thoughts…”

Aimee B.

A Heartfelt Memoir

“A hallmark of a great book is its ability to not only capture your attention but also move you and challenge you to think about your own life. This book did all of these things for me. From the beginning, I was captivated by Allison’s story, and by the end of the book, I felt a deep connection to both Allison and her family. I read this book in one sitting—and when finished, I immediately began to explore my own family’s history. This is a powerful read that leaves a lasting impact.”

Cindy

Great reading!!

“This is a great book to purchase. I couldn’t put it down.”

Colleen C.

“The Record Keeper is a gift to the reader, a story that reminds us all that even the thing we are most ashamed of is redeemable. Don’t sleep on this great story… especially if you like family mysteries and generational stories…”

Ashley B.

“Wow! This fantastic book kept me on the edge of my seat wanting more as her family history unfolded with every page turn. It felt like story time as the author revealed her discoveries through pictures, postcards, and genetic test results. This compelling narrative makes me want to dive into my own family history. A must-read!”

H. M.

“Pretty good book, but it was rather hard to follow, all the twists and turns, and even going sideways sometimes.”

Morgan S.

“This book was such an intriguing read! I kept having to read ‘just one more chapter’ to see what she would discover next… a story that kept me engaged right to the last page! Must read!”

Jennifer H.

“Yes, the book is a must-read for genealogy nerds. Yes, Allison did a great job playing obsessive detective (OK, she didn’t have to role play that part; it’s just who she is). But what you’re going to get out of this is that the private lives of people we love can be mysterious. Their secrets might hurt or shock us, but underneath it all is a human trying to figure out what to do with themselves, however imperfectly they do that. What we do with all of the information we find is another thing, too. The Record Keeper is just as much about the secrets our ancestors keep as it is about who we are when we find out about them.”

Carrie G.

Amazing Story

“This was a page turner that I could NOT put down. Such a captivating story with one jaw-dropping discovery after the next.”

Lori B.

“Barnhart uniquely tells this delicate family story with deep love and respect for her family members. She shows love overcoming fear and God’s grace flowing in difficult times. She weaves this together with honesty and a little humor added at just the right times.”

Joanne E.

“… Layers of the author’s ancestry continue to be peeled away bit by bit, thanks to Allison’s dedication to family heirlooms, treasures, and stories. The narrative keeps the reader engaged and anticipating each twist and turn as the family learns more and more about its deep secrets… It inspires the value of family and personally, encouraged me to understand my own ancestry and how it shapes me.”

Carrie G.

“Wow! This story gives us a sense of just how deeply a family is entwined beyond DNA. Humor, emotion, history, passion, forgiveness and grace… all woven together. A book that I couldn’t put down and gave me the urge to explore my own family history at greater depths!”

Jerry & Ellen R.

“…We greatly enjoyed the book. It is a true story and she has put a lot of emotion into bringing the story to life. As a “family historian” I can appreciate to amount of time and effort it takes to do the research. The work of putting it together as an album is tremendous. It is much greater when one considers the thought of creating a book to continue her Grandmother’s legacy for the enjoyment of others. This story is more difficult to put in place based on the many records (data) left behind in boxes and albums. This story is not the Great American Positive Narration but deals with many dark secrets that surround the numerous families involved. Highly recommended for all to read; then consider adding to their own family story. It is good to have some of this to remind each of us what we should consider: family, our heritage, and the emotions that we make available to those we care about.”

Amy B.

“Excellent read! Very well researched and laid out. I really enjoyed following along the author’s journey unraveling the mystery in her family tree. Definitely recommend!”

William M.

Research and Discovery at Its Finest

“I was eager to read this book because of my personal connection to the family for many years. That being said, I think her research and discovery of her families history is a worthwhile read for anyone who wants a blueprint of of how find their own story.”